Joyful Noise review

Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah have a church choir showdown

Capitalising on smalltown USA’s preoccupation with singing contests and ‘Regionals’, Todd Graff’s ( Bandslam ) movie replaces Glee ’s high-school warblers with the even less enthralling world of competitive church choirs.

Overburdened by subplots, it coasts on the charisma of leading ladies Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah (sparring for control as their choir heads into a national contest).

Hard as it tries to be harmless feel-good fodder, its notion that one character’s Asperger’s can be cured by a hearty sing-song makes it a more offensive musical than Team America ever dared.